The question I would like to start us thinking about is:
“HOW do I experience the life of the Spirit?”
Let’s explore that idea this morning in this message which is titled....
Choosing to live IN the Spirit
Living ‘in the Spirit’ is the normal Christian life. In Galatians, a letter written to correct the love for religion over relationship, we are told that the Holy Spirit is God’s gift to all Believers.
READ - Gal. 3:1-5
What does that kind of life look like? What does it mean to ‘live by the Spirit?’ That is a BIG question.
Some confuse spirituality with quietness, introspection, or piety.
Many men concede ‘spirituality’ to women, because they are sure that anyone who likes guns, hunting, competition, sports, or extreme skiing, for example, could not possibly be spiritual!
True spirituality is just doing what God wants done, being responsive to the Holy Spirit moment by moment. Eugene Peterson, best know for his work in bringing us the paraphrase of the Bible called The Message, was a pastor of a small church for many years. In an article published in Christianity Today, March, 2005, he observed, "The people who give me the most distress are those who come asking, "Pastor, how can I be spiritual?" Forget about being spiritual. How about loving your husband? Now that’s a good place to start. But that’s not what they’re interested in. How about learning to love your kids, accept them the way they are?"
Some confuse ‘spirituality’ with demonstrative and/or emotional experiences of several gifts of the Spirit. “I’m spiritual because I see visions, or because I speak in tongues, or because I can discern evil at work... “
No, disciple, that is not necessarily true! Spiritual gifts are not to be confused with personal spirituality!
In the Bible, there is a book that speaks to that confusion. The disciples in the Church in the city of Corinth considered themselves very ’spiritual,’ they spoke at length in tongues, prophesied, and had meeting that were chock full of Holy Spirit manifestations.
Paul wrote a long corrective letter to that church that all those who aspire to spirituality need to read. Imagine the shock they felt when they heard his letter and he said,
"Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life." (1 Corinthians 3:1, NLT)
He goes on to point out that despite their all their spiritual gifts, their lives were a mess! They fought with each other. They lacked love. They would not serve each other. They sued each in court. They could not deal with sin in their own congregation. They were proud of their knowledge of spiritual freedom and cared little if their actions caused someone less mature in faith to be offended. Then, in chapter 13 of 1st Corinthians, the point is driven home: True spirituality will produce a transformation of character, primarily shown by a deep and consistent love for God and others.
Some believe that ‘spirituality’ involves mastery of Biblical Greek, a seminary degree, an ordination by a church body, or comprehension of great spiritual mysteries!
In Colossians, those ideas are shot full of holes.
"Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him." (Colossians 2:8-9, The Message)
That passage goes on with this practical instruction:
"So don’t put up with anyone pressuring you in details of diet, worship services, or holy days. All those things are mere shadows cast before what was to come; the substance is Christ. Don’t tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They’re a lot of hot air, that’s all they are." (Colossians 2:16-18, The Message)
"So, then, if with Christ you’ve put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? “Don’t touch this! Don’t taste that! Don’t go near this!” Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they’re just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important." (Colossians 2:20-23, The Message)
So, how do we come to this life in the Spirit that is so much more than just knowing things, or being self-disciplined, or pious? Let’s dig in!
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Bev and I have a little standing joke between us... She brings houseplant to the point of death then I take over caring for them and they thrive! Plants are not a particular passion of mine. I don’t consider that I have a green thumb, but I do seem to be able to create healthy, vibrant house plants. I have no secret other than regular watering and fertilizing. Consistent care is the key!
Our spiritual vitality is a lot like the health of those plants. Without consistent care you will find your spirit becomes dry and withered. Just showing up in church or occasionally picking up your Bible does not produce spiritual fruitfulness. Nor should you assume that praying the “sinner’s prayer” and trusting in Jesus as your Savior will bring on spiritual growth and maturity automatically. There must be consistent care of the soul. Spiritual development requires that you become aware of your daily choices and decisions and involve the Lord in those decisions so that His Spirit can nurture you into vibrant spiritual health!
I want to stay with the plant analogy for a moment more.
One thing that is absolutely essential to plant health is knowing something about the specific needs of the type of plant. A fern requires much different care than a cactus! A ficus must be treated differently from a geranium.
Sunlight, temperature, humidity, water... are all important to every plant, but in widely varying ratios.
I’m not suggesting that you are a potted plant, but the analogy holds.
God has made us with differing personalities and temperaments and our spirituality will be generally be expressed within that context.
One spiritual form and/or experience does not fit all! We need to be open to God’s tailor made care for our souls and of His personal invitation to a life of intimacy with Him. We do this by accepting our uniqueness. For example:
∙ Some are mystics. Mystics sense God most powerfully in quiet, contemplative settings. Mystics need rich imagery in their spiritual life and lots of time to process the ‘feelings’ of the Spirit. Mystics are not primarily nourished by information, but rather by sensation. They are excellent worshipers and pray-ers.
∙ Some are analytical intellectuals. These people are ‘explainers’ who most powerfully sense God when they read the Word or sit in times of teaching that help them unfold Truth. Analytics can attend an all-day workshop on the subject of the “Implications of Jesus’ Kingdom teaching on Contemporary Social Justice Issues” and come home declaring that they were powerfully touched by God. They are good leaders and teachers.
∙ Some are performers, the ‘do-ers.’ They sense God most powerfully when they are feeding the hungry, ministering at a prison, reading at a nursing home, caring for little ones, or on a work crew at church. They are great servants, the behind the scenes people.
Are you getting the picture? Each of these types of people needs to worship, to be taught the Word, to serve — but the ratios will be different and the response in their soul will be very different, too! A ficus, a fern, a geranium, and a cactus each are plants who need sunlight and water to thrive, but in vastly different ratios.
The Bible teaches us about several decisions that will create a conduit for the flow of the Spirit into your life so you will become known as a person who is filled with Holy Spirit life.
KNOW THIS! These choices and actions DO NOT make you spiritual! They allow GOD, the SPIRIT, to flow into your life and HIS PRESENCE IN you makes the difference. Depending on your temperament, your personality, your experience, and training the ratio which you need these things in your life will vary, but they each are critically important to your development as a mature, fruitful, and effective Christian by the Spirit’s power.
1. To thrive spiritually we must be in SUBMISSION to the Lord.
Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30NIV)
At first reading Jesus’ invitation appears to be a mixed message. He invites those of us who are frustrated by our failures, who sense we could be better Christians than we are, who are withered and unfruitful, to come to Him. What an unnatural choice! Usually when we fail or sin, we run! He says, “Come!”
When our striving that has exhausted us IF we turn to Him, we can find rest! An attractive offer, isn’t it? But then, He turns immediately to another metaphor... ”take my yoke on you.”
A yoke is a device used to transfer the energy of a farm animal into motion. The most common picture of a yoke is the collar laid across the necks of two oxen that enabled them to pull a wagon or a plow.
∙ Why offer a person who is worn out, frustrated, and stressed by life a yoke?
∙ Why not invite him instead to a comfortable lounge or a relaxing cruise?
Jesus Christ wisely calls on those exhausted by the rat race of life to look higher. “Come to me. Submit yourself to me by putting on my yoke. With me, you’ll do more yet feel joy of a life that has real substance.”
Jesus knows that we are made to be productive. The greatest joy in life comes from sensing that we are part of some meaningful task! Frequently we are frustrated and stressed because we are chasing the wrong dreams, reaching for things that do not bring us any true satisfaction.
Do you want real rest, a genuine sense that you are spending your life for something that counts?
Join yourself to Christ working for the goals of the kingdom of God. There is the point of choice, the decision moment!
∙ Are we willing to come into submission to Him in order to be yoked with Him?
Those who are yoked to Christ no longer can lay claim to ownership of their lives. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV)
Submitting to the yoke of Christ is a daily choice! But what a choice it is.
“My yoke is easy,” He promises. What does that mean?
The yoke of Kingdom work fits. It is not chafing, irritating, or crushing.
First key decision for spiritual growth and fruitfulness:
SUBMISSION, without reservation, to the Spirit of God!
2. To thrive spiritually we must make a PRESENTATION of our lives to the Lord.
Romans 12:1-2 . . . “I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)
There is an interplay of the material and the spiritual in these verses. Take a second look.
“Offer your bodies... this is your spiritual act of worship.”
There is a temptation to separate our worship from our work, our spirituality from our daily lives. Many of us unconsciously divide life into the sacred- things that involve God- and the secular, things that are about the ‘real world.’ Don’t do it! Truth is, there is nothing you and I do that is not spiritual, that does not have an effect - positive or negative - on our walk with God!
∙ Is your marriage dedicated to God? Is He Lord of your home?
∙ Is your work, your occupation dedicated to God? Is He Lord of your office, your shop?
∙ Are your children dedicated to God?
Is He Lord of their destiny or are your dreams for their lives more important than His will?
∙ Are your resources dedicated to God? Is He Lord of your checkbook, your time, your house?
I could belabor the point, but I won’t. I just simply ask, are you presenting yourself... everything that you are to Him?
The second key decision for spiritual growth and fruitfulness:
Presentation of ALL of our lives- body, soul, and spirit- to the Spirit of God as spiritual sacrifice!
3. To spiritually grow and be fruitful there must be CONSECRATION of our lives to the Lord.
There is a story of spiritual renewal found in 2 Chronicles 29 that I want us to read. PB 715
The people of the nation of Judah had gone after other gods and failed to keep the law given to them by the Lord through Moses. The temple in Jerusalem had been neglected, the daily sacrifices not offered. Now Hezekiah, a king with a heart for serving God, calls for spiritual renewal. In preparation for worship and service both the people and place needed to be purifed!
READ 2 Chronicles 29: 1-5, 15-17, 35c-36
One word appears several times in this passage in connection with both the priests and the Temple.
It is the word- consecrate! What did this mean?
In a literal sense, they had to once again go through the rituals of purification that marked both the priests and the place in which they ministered as set apart from the ordinary to the exclusive service of God. In that time, God was worshiped in a set place: the temple; and by a select group: the priests. Everyone else had to come to the priest who was consecrated to God’s service and the priest offered up worship and sacrifice for them. The priests were recognized as holy men. Because they were set apart to God, consecrated, they had to observe behavior codes and live in ways proscribed by the law of Moses. When the priests and temple were once again purified and prepared for worship, a great celebration took place.
We read about it in 30:20-31:1 [ READ]
Did you take note of the end results?
First, the Bible notes there was JOY.
And, second, there was a renewal of HOLINESS.
They realized that they were God’s alone, when they celebrated His love and care for them, it moved them to go out from their worship festival to remove the idols and idol altars scattered in their land.
Let’s apply this to our lives:
∙ ALL Believers are Priests and that Believers are the Temples of God’s Spirit
1 Corinthians 3:16 teaches us “You yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you”
What an awesome privilege and responsibility! We are the holy people of God who are the bridge between God and the people who do not know Him. We offer up worship on their behalf. We pray for them, effective prayers that are heard at the throne of God. But are we consecrated? Do we know and maintain a sense of being God’s holy people?
The opposite of consecrate is profane.
Those who are consecrated consider that there is no higher value than serving God.
The profane person devalues the things of God and has contempt for His work.
Which are you?
∙ Are you a consecrated or profane?
∙ Don’t just listen to your words. Look at your life choices.
∙ Is the presence of the Spirit of God known in you because He is welcomed into the holy temple of your life or have you grieved Him by your profane behavior so that He is withdrawn leaving you an empty temple?
If you are more familiar with the language of the New Testament there the word ‘consecrate’ is replaced with the word, ‘sanctify.’ The meaning is the same. To sanctify means to give something entirely to God, to set a person or a thing apart for His exclusive use.
If you wish be an effective, vibrant Spirit-filled individual then accept that you be ‘set apart, God’s own.’ He will not pour Himself into people who are profane. The Scripture defines the profane life in this way:
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. . . . those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. “
The third key decision for spiritual growth and fruitfulness:
I will offer my life to the service of God as His priest and be His temple so that I can be consecrated by the Presence of the Holy Spirit in me.
Remember my little story about house plants? There’s an important part I didn’t mention. Bev never makes a conscious determination to kill the plants. She just gets distracted by life’s activities and forgets them. They wither, not by intent, but from neglect!
Few Christians make a conscious decision to be a withered and ineffective follower of Christ.
They NEGLECT the daily choices that lead to spiritual health. They fail to nurture their spirit with consistent care. OR,
just as importantly, they fail to come to understanding of the person God has made them to be, so they don’t allow God to nurture them with the unique combination of worship, teaching, and service.
So now, HOW about YOU? What decisions will you make?
Begin with Submission of Self.
Take the yoke of Christ and commit to working with Him!
Continue with Presentation of your Body.
Each day offer up your hands, your brain, your feet... your life as a living sacrifice to God.
Prepare yourself to be consecrated to His service.
He will not turn you into a dull drudge, a joyless drone, or a kill joy despised by all. That’s a devilish lie that is served by the empty pieties of religion based on will and determination!
The Spirit of God will bring great joy, bursts of creativity, and a deep sense of fulfillment to your life.
Open your life to Him today, won’t you? Amen.
Jerry D. Scott, copyright 2009
www.WashingtonAG.com
